A Weekend With The Kidz

Big Fun For Good Causes In Downtown Conroe

Mark Williams
The Bulletin Staff Writer

The Gullo Conroe Kidz Fest returns for its fifth fun year to downtown on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20 -- two days of free fun and games especially assembled for the children of Montgomery County. While the little ones toss a ball or hit the water slide or participate in any number of fun events, parents have a chance to keep the kidz safe by updating immunizations and having them fingerprinted by the Conroe Police Department. What makes Gullo Conroe Kidz Fest extra special is that is a different kind of downtown event -- a fun-filled weekend geared toward the pint-sized set, benefiting top notch children’s charities with grass roots ties to Montgomery. The Friends Of Conroe work hard to organize and produce The Kidzfest.
Every year, Gullo Conroe Kidz Fest gets a little bigger and better; the planning of villages starts a little earlier each time around -- and as a result, the villages have a lot more activities, with better layout and planning; there are many events -- with something in each village for kids of all ages. The Health & Safety Village is bigger and better in ‘08 -- with the Conroe Fire Department on hand both days, showing off their big ladder truck and firehouse trailer while teaching kidz how to safely exit a burning house. Kids of all ages visiting the village will also have the opportunity to have a picture taken with Snoopy -- the retired, fun-loving beagle sidekick of Charlie Brown, now the Metropolitan Life Insurance “spokes dog.” Also sponsored by Glenn Insurance Agency, Snoopy will make an appearance every hour.
Scooby Doo and The Mystery Machine will be there this year, providing fun and entertainment. Michele Blake also said that this year will have a BMX Half Pipe Show that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Free immunizations will be available at the Health & Safety Village, courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Glenn Insurance in Conroe; a parent must be present and have with them a record of the child’s past immunizations. Parents will also be able to have their children fingerprinted and “tagged” by the Conroe Police Department -- with those little prints going on file with local police agencies. “Fingerprinting ensures finding a missing child faster, safe and alive,” says village coordinator Debbie Glenn, “and, like everything else at Gullo Conroe Kidz Fest, it’s free to the public as to not exclude anyone. No one has to worry about money that weekend, they’re free to be a kid. That’s part of the reason Kidz Fest will be a lasting event in our community.”
The Sports Village returns this year, set up inside Heritage Place at 500 Collins Street in Downtown Conroe. The Sports Village is not only free to the public, but hands-on and kid-friendly, too -- providing tykes and big kids with the chance to take part in games for all ages. Coordinator Scott Perry, who also serves as recreation coordinator for the City of Conroe, says lots of organizations are helping out this year to make the village even more special for kids. “We’re excited by the number of groups helping out,” says Perry. Kids get to play nearly any game that involves a ball: football and baseball activities are set, along with soccer and basketball; also on tap are games set up by the National Junior Olympic Skills Competition. Children can get one-up on their golfing skills with a putting green and have a wet and wild time on water slides. “There were people who came on Saturday last year not realizing that there were water games set up,” says event co-coordinator Debbie Glenn, “but they came back on Sunday with their trunks and bathing suits, ready to get wet and have fun.”
Gullo Conroe Kidz Fest will also pay tribute to National Child Abuse Prevention Month throughout the weekend. By wearing a blue ribbon in April, families, children, neighbors, organizations and communities are encouraged to recognize and prevent child abuse and neglect, while assisting families in achieving healthy parenting practices through education and resources and empower individuals to report child victimization and intervene in situations where violence and neglect harm children. Reports of child abuse nationwide have increased by 30 percent in the last 10 years. More than 3 million children are victims of child abuse each year and nearly 2 million children are reported missing each year, many of whom are abducted from their homes and front yards. Statistics indicate that 12 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are victims of neglect and abuse.
Estimates are that the majority, 62.8 percent, suffer from neglect. Another 16.6 percent are physically abused, 9.3 percent are sexually abused, 7.1 percent are emotionally mistreated and 2 percent are medically neglected. National statistics also show that of those abused, 49.7 percent are white, 23.1 percent are African American and 17.4 percent are Hispanic. Figures from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Web site indicates state trends are similar to national ones. As of August 2007, there were 6.3 million children in Texas, 71,344 confirmed victims of abuse and 227 deaths as a result of abuse and neglect; and for 2006, figures show that Child Protective Services had legal custody of 46,246 children statewide. More females, 51.9 percent, are abused than males and, at 23.6 percent, those most likely to be abused are between the ages of 1 and 3. In 78.4 percent of the state's cases, the perpetrator is a parent, and in 58.1 percent, the abuser is female. Abusers are most often married, 30.7 percent, and 37 percent of them are between the ages of 26 and 35.
While there is little doubt child abuse is a problem that is far from being solved, the U.S. has made strides in addressing there issue. A chapter in the training manual for volunteers with Court Appointed Special Advocates, the 1874 case of Mary Ellen appears. The child's father was dead and her mother could not care for her because she was destitute and had to work full-time. The New York Commission of Charities and Correction placed Mary Ellen with Mary McCormack Connolly, who beat Mary Ellen, locked her in a room, rarely allowed her outside, and did not provide adequate food or clothing.
Upset by the child's screaming, a neighbor told a mission worker about Mary Ellen. The worker could find no one else to intervene, so an appeal was made to Henry Bergh, founder and president of American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He finally persuaded a judge to hear the case. As a result of publicity regarding Mary Ellen, a community meeting was held and an association formed "for the defense of outraged childhood." The association gave rise in 1875 to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Child-focused policies are relatively new, the CASA training manual states. The Fair Labor Standards Act was passed in 1938. It was not until 1965 that mandatory reporting laws for child abuse were put in place in all states. Congress became aware that the child welfare system was not adequately protecting children and their families, and in 1974, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act was passed. It mandated the appointment of a “guardian ad litem” in child abuse and neglect cases. Three years later, in Seattle, Washington, the Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program was begun by Juvenile Court Judge David Soukup. He concluded children in the court system did not necessarily have to be represented by an attorney and that their interests would be better served by community volunteers who could individualize their child advocacy efforts. The National CASA Association was formed in 1982.
Child Advocates of Montgomery County, a local auxiliary of CASA, was founded in 1992, standing up for 28 kids in court that year -- striving for the highest quality of care leading to a safe nurturing home for each child. For nearly 16 years, this private non-profit agency has been training community volunteers to stand up for children of abuse and neglect in Montgomery County -- and help upwards of 400 children each year. CASA sees its role in the community as a critical one; the organization's court advocates serve as the eyes and ears of the judge in court proceedings involving abused and neglected children. These dedicated volunteers gather information, interview all parties involved, look for possible relative placement and -- perhaps most importantly -- develop a relationship with the child in question. There are currently eighty-two advocates -- which is not nearly enough to meet the increasing need of the most vulnerable citizens of Montgomery County.
The world can often be a harsh, cruel place -- especially for abused and neglected children caught in the gears of an already overcrowded, already overworked system; a decision made by a judge in court for a child may very well have the best of intentions behind it, but, ultimately, may not always be what is truly best for the child. It is easy to see how it can happen: the average Child Protective Services (CPS) case worker in Texas juggles an unfathomable load -- anywhere from 45 to 50 cases at any given time. Think about it: even if that case worker put in 10 hours of overtime a week, each file still only gets an hour of review. Social work is a hard, time-consuming, emotionally-draining job with a high turnover. 
Nevertheless, it is more often than not these CPS case workers who make the final recommendation to judges on how to rule in these cases -- often helping the judge make the ultimate decision as to where a neglected or abused child will be placed. Should the child go back to his or her parents? Are the parents even fit to raise the child? Are there other relatives with which the child could live? Or would the child be better off altogether being raised by a foster family or in a foster home? Obviously, these are not easy questions -- and the way they are addressed will affect the child in question's future, sometimes for years to come -- sometimes immediately. CASA gets involved once a child is entered into the system. 
`“Most of the time, it's through CPS," says Nancy Morgan, CEO and executive director of the local organization, “sometimes through law enforcement. A police detective will get personally involved and bring a case to us, tell us all the facts.” Sorting through the facts of these cases is basically the heart of the mission of CASA, whose volunteer advocates are essentially trained investigators. It is the job of the advocate to dig deep into these cases -- research the medical and emotional condition of an abused child, look into the family's background and fitness to regain parental rights -- all in a powerful effort to have the child's voice be heard in court, to do what is truly best for the child.
CASA volunteer advocates make sure these kids don’t get lost in the shuffle of an overburdened legal and social service system or get stuck for eternity in inappropriate group or foster homes. “We take a case and follow it from the beginning to its outcome in court,” says CASA case manager Pat Creighton. “We assign it to our volunteers, who work in teams of two. We give them the facts as they’ve been presented to us, but there’s always twists and turns -- things they didn’t see coming, things they weren’t prepared for.” The scourge of drugs is too often the problem that parents have when their child is taken away from them by CPS. Creighton says that many times the parents’ family doesn't know what has been going on until the baby has already been taken away by CPS. “Many times, the person who’s had their child taken away has only told their family one side of the story -- their side. The grandparents think the police and CPS have snatched up their grandchild for no good reason. They don't about the drugs or anything that may be going on.”
A creative way that CASA has come up with to put a parent on the straight-and-narrow before an important court appearance is “Family Conferencing”: when family members gather around the parent and offer to help out in any way necessary -- giving the parent no excuse to backslide. “The parent will say they can’t make court-mandated therapy sessions because they don’t have a car,” says Pat Creighton, “and a family member will raise their hand and say, ‘I have a car and I’ll take you to those appointments.’ It's really great when the family works together."
When the family doesn't work together, or if there is no family to speak of, the child could be moved around from one group home to another for years, or go through a succession of foster families -- none of which provide true stability or love to a child that began life in such a sad fashion. While foster care does what it can for these children, so many times the system falls short: there's too many kids and not enough personnel to keep up with all of the kids' individual needs, as the turnover in this profession is nearly as high as it is in social work -- and the perpetual shortage of funding is a given.
Ready or not, the foster care system spits these kids out on the street at age 18 -- but are they really prepared to take on the world? "Most of them think they are, of course," says Creighton. "They think they know everything at 15 or 16. I did, and I know I really didn't by the time I was 21. One of the girls we've helped here is 16 and in a foster home and can’t wait to get out on her own, she’s ready. But she also wants a Care Bear for her birthday. So how ready is she really?”
While concerned for all neglected and abused children in Montgomery County, CASA still advocates mainly for the littlest victims -- children who cannot speak for themselves in court or anywhere else. You can volunteer for CASA of Montgomery County and make a real difference in the life of a neglected or abused child by calling 936-441-KIDS; the staff and volunteers are common people with uncommon goals.
Also benefiting from Conroe Kidz Festin the past is Parents Against Cancer (PAC) -- a locally-founded, volunteer-driven, not-for-profit, registered charity with no paid staff or national organization affiliation. Parents Against Cancer was founded by a group of Montgomery County parents, many of whom have had the heartache of being told their child has cancer and is dedicated to finding a cure for childhood cancer; for nearly a decade, the organization has funded an experimental drug for brain tumors in young children. Through a partnership and financial support with Texas Children’s Cancer Center in Houston, PAC has been able to assist researchers in their development and testing of such groundbreaking drugs. This research includes molecular oncology, tumor cell biology, cancer genetics, pharmacology, experimental therapeutics and transplantation biology.
Kidz Fest sponsor Sparky Gullo of Gullo Ford-Mercury in Conroe says that the most promising, rewarding aspect of the organization's work with the Texas Children's Cancer Center is the fact that PAC’s donations have helped researchers get curative medication to children sooner. “It’s awful to think about, but there are children who have missed getting a cure by just a year or two,” says Gullo, who lost a son to cancer. “Now, the children are getting that medicine much faster -- when they need it.” Parents Against Cancer has donated over $2.6 million to research done at Texas Children’s Cancer Center; find information on Parents Against Cancer at the non-profit organization’s website, parentsagainstcancer.org.
The Gullos have made themselves right at home in Conroe through the years, building a firm reputation as Montgomery County’s down-home dealerships -- family-owned and operated, friendly and dependable. Not only do the Gullo dealerships have one of the largest inventories of vehicles -- including lines offered by Mazda, Toyota and Ford -- but they also offer a comprehensive line of automotive parts and service and state of the art collision centers; the Gullos’ strong commitment and dedication to customer service and satisfaction have propelled their dealerships to win numerous awards --including awards of excellence from the Better Business Bureau, plus awards in the field of parts and services and customer relations -- just to name a few. Founder Tony Gullo Sr. has also been a member of the prestigious Leadership Award, an honor bestowed upon the top 50 dealers in the nation based on service, parts, and customer satisfaction.
“Success is a steady process. It’s earned by working hard to meet goals, establishing honesty as the best policy and holding true to the golden rule. It’s being willing to go that extra mile,” says Gullo Sr. “Today’s consumers expect to receive excellent customer service and to be completely satisfied by their purchase -- and they have every right to expect that. Customer satisfaction is the name of the game and we work hard to keep our patrons pleased.” Gullo’s dealerships in Conroe are managed by his three sons: Tony Gullo Jr., Sparky Gullo and Corky Gullo. As both residents and business owners in our ever-growing community, they have made a commitment to Montgomery County and its people; in taking on this commitment and the roles of leadership that accompany it, the Gullo dealerships have had a tremendous impact in our area -- sponsoring education, civic, and charity programs, rewarded in business by appreciative, loyal customers.
“The Gullos put a lot back into our community,” says Mike Ladyman, one of the founders who helped originally organize Kidz Fest five years ago. “For example, for the first Kidz Fest they not only donated $25,000 cash, they also help a great deal with the event. The next year, they purchased the big banners that went over Highway 105 and Frazier Street. They also paid for all the colorful Kidz Fest signs that the City of Conroe put up on the lamp posts downtown. In addition to this, they put a tag line on all their radio and TV commercials advertising the event. Their total contribution was tremendous. Sparky Gullo jumped into the event the first year. He was the first and main sponsor. If he didn’t write the check, we would have no Kidz Fest. 
Gullo Conroe Kidz Fest is “100 percent sponsor-driven” and is absolutely free to the public. So many kids in and around Conroe are not able to attend events such as these because they charge admission and it becomes cost-prohibitive for their parents. Gullo Conroe Kidz Fest is all about bringing a free event to the children of Conroe and Montgomery County -- and to showcase the City of Conroe’s downtown facilities.
The Kidz Fest is also manned by volunteers from the area. More are needed to help put on the event. If you would like enjoy a day of helping make kids happy call Michele Blake at 936-537-3080.

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